Government gives nod to GZU dryland agric research centre

GOVERNMENT has approved plans by the Great Zimbabwe University to set up a new Centre of Excellence in Dryland Agriculture in Chivi district.

It is understood that the project, that will occupy 135 hectares of land, will be mandated to carry out research on the challenges of dryland farming, capacitate farmers and to improve the livelihoods of villagers in the area and in places with similar environmental set-ups countrywide.

This was said by Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Professor Fanuel Tagwira during a strategic planning meeting held in Masvingo recently.

He said Government was in full support of the university’s plans to set up the dryland agricultural research centre and that the univerrsity’s innovations were in tandem with zero-tolerance policy to hunger initiatives.

“By coming up with a decision to set up a dryland agricultural research centre, GZU is complementing Government efforts to eradicate hunger,” said Prof Tagwira.

“Government is therefore in full support of the project, taking into cognisance the fact that 85 percent of Zimbabwe’s land is under dryland agriculture.

“Research and cavitation of communal farmers are therefore pertinent to national economic development.”

Prof Tagwira said the establishment of the new dryland farming research centre was a giant step towards ensuring sustainable food security in the country.

The Herald understands that GZU has so far completed draughting the site plan of the centre and pegging.

Currently, they are reportedly awaiting approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment by the Environmental Management

Agency (EMA).

The project falls under the jurisdiction of Chief Madyangove who said: “As traditional leader of the area, I would like to thank the Government, GZU and its implementing partners for coming up with such a noble idea to fight hunger.”

GZU Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Rungano Zvobgo told the stakeholders at the workshop that the establishment of the centre would enhance the production of drought-resistant crop varieties, livestock and beekeeping projects.

He said the research centre would focus on agricultural value addition in line with Government’s new Education Design 5.0.

“We are focusing on agriculture that will improve the livelihoods of villagers in Chivi and abroad,” he said.

“The university will work handin- glove with traditional leaders and farmers to make the initiative a great success.”